Meeting with the President of the Republic and Established Bodies

On Thursday, August 15, 1985, the Holy Father met with the President of the Republic of Zaire and with the established bodies of the State.* The Pope emphasized that “it is humanity itself that is at the center of the Church's concerns: humanity in all its dimensions.”

Mr. President of the Republic,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. On this beautiful, festive day, when I am able to reunite with the Catholic community of Zaire, I am delighted to have come here to greet the country's leading figures. I would first like to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic for his warm welcome and for the words he has just addressed to me, with a respectful and sensitive tone that deeply touches me. The presence of members of the government and numerous representatives of the established bodies is an honor to me, and I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude.

Through you, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to greet the entire nation of Zaire and express my esteem for this great country, which recently celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its independence. Over this period, overcoming many difficulties and trials, Zaire has asserted its identity as a country respected by its peers and made great progress. You have consolidated the unity of a country of vast size and great human and natural diversity. I sincerely wish all your compatriots the common prosperity that allows everyone to be happy.

2. In this meeting with you, who exercise so many responsibilities, I would like to share some reflections on the tasks that contribute to the common good of society. For the Church, this is a constant concern. Certainly, as such, the Church has no claim to intervene in the governance and decision-making functions that are the responsibility of public authorities. However, she considers it part of her mission to reflect on all that is for the good of humanity. It is in this spirit that she plays a specific role in the international community, and it is in this spirit that the conscience of every Christian feels committed to the life of the nation to which he or she belongs.

In fact, as I have emphasized many times, following my predecessors, it is humanity itself that is at the center of the Church's concerns. Humanity in all its dimensions, humanity aspiring to personal fulfillment and responsibility, humanity aspiring to become increasingly free from the obstacles and trials that prevent happiness, humanity who, by its very nature, seeks a fraternal and peaceful life in society. Christians are convinced that Mother Earth is given to humanity so that it may build a city in which, with intelligence and heart, it can fully develop its spiritual vocation. In saying this, I sense that these Christian affirmations are in tune with some of the most salient features of the African soul, such as respect for the land from which one is born, a sense of community, and a spontaneous and profound spiritual openness.

3. Ladies and gentlemen, the primary objective I have just briefly summarized—that of allowing humanity to fully flourish within society—contains the convergence and true purpose of all your tasks and the authority you hold. I cannot provide a complete list, but I would like to mention a few that are of particular interest.

I think first of all of everything involved in designing an education system. The youth, so numerous in your regions, deserve to be offered the greatest opportunity to take charge of their own lives and all of society at an early age. The various training programs offered to such a large number of young people are balanced, combining the transmission of their ancestors' cultural and spiritual heritage—the essence of which I know you are so keen to preserve—with initiation into the knowledge and techniques necessary for modern life. It is important that a motivated and competent generation initiate the next generation into the healthiest rules of life, professional conscience, honesty, and the tireless pursuit of improving social relations. In this way, the temptation of fatalism or the fear of the unhealthy will not paralyze young people ready to overcome them.

You are also concerned with fostering what might be called a social sense or a sense of community at all levels of the nation's activity. The economy and the organization of public life acquire their full value when placed at the service of humanity, at the service of all humanity. A fair distribution of resources and responsibilities, and freedom of initiative, contribute to ensuring that everyone lives with dignity. The advancement of women, as wives, mothers, and full citizens, expresses the maturity of a society. Solidarity toward the poorest, the sick, the disabled, and the elderly honors the nation that exercises it with respect.

Living conditions increasingly depend on the leadership provided by national leaders. Thus, balancing industrial, agricultural, and service activities, avoiding the excesses of urbanization, which bring unhappiness to too large a portion of the population, and allowing farmers to cultivate the land without being disadvantaged, are all pressing concerns. All this also presupposes long-term forecasts, developed with common sense. All this entails considerable investment, across a vast territory like yours, to develop means of communication of all kinds. In other words, these objectives become more attainable when rigorous honesty prevails in the exercise of public office, and when conflicts that arise are resolved through fair arbitration.

Ladies and gentlemen, in briefly recalling so many aspects of the work undertaken by those responsible for public life, I am in no way minimizing the great difficulties you encounter in achieving them, but I know I am in agreement with your intentions. And I hope that the current generation will progress in all these directions despite the difficult conditions facing it, due to still insufficient development and the unequal and often unfavorable situations currently prevailing in the world. I can affirm that Christians are committed to actively assuming their share of the necessary efforts; they are generously willing to contribute to the harmonious development of their country.

4. I have often had occasion to express my views on the often grave concerns raised by the global situation; I did so very recently, during this trip to Cameroon, speaking to representatives of the diplomatic corps, and I will do so shortly in Kenya, speaking to UNEP. So this evening, I will limit myself to a few reflections that seem fundamental to me.

The current conditions affecting all societies, particularly those of Africa, are extraordinarily complex. The most striking factor, over the past century, has been the encounter between the original cultures of peoples and the contribution of Western society. A significant transformation has taken place, one that in many respects appears irreversible. The technological civilization that has invaded peoples' lives, the exploitation of the riches of the soil, the juxtaposition of different ways of life, the spread of travel and all means of communication, foreign education, new health conditions with their demographic consequences—all these factors, sometimes intervening with violence, have contributed to a complex relationship between the peoples of different continents. In the intellectual, economic, and political fields, relationships now exist whose expression in institutions and agreements constitutes only the most visible aspect of what actually affects the lives of each person.

With these considerations, I simply wish to recall the true stakes of international life, a rapidly evolving process that recent generations have witnessed throughout the world. Everyone is familiar with the glaring inequality of opportunity, which is plain for all to see. The great powers fail to resolve their conflicts; they involve less developed peoples, who pay the price with all-too-often fratricidal struggles. What could have constituted mutually beneficial exchanges is now undermined by the reckless exploitation of natural resources, by violations of fundamental human rights, and by violations of respect for their unique cultural heritage. And how can we fail to deplore the contradictions that often emerge between generous declarations of intent and the reality of far from selfless action?

5. Ladies and gentlemen, if in all honesty we must acknowledge what weighs so heavily on the lives of peoples who aspire to prosperity and peace for all, we must also acknowledge the signs of hope. It is not in vain that nations meet and discuss the obstacles they encounter. It is not in vain that international dialogue continues within the framework of major organizations. It is not in vain that many men on both sides sincerely dedicate themselves to the great causes of solidarity.

It is possible to seek a new balance among the peoples of the earth. Leading this effort is the task of leaders, while recognizing that it involves many other key figures. We must welcome the ongoing exchanges between intellectuals and scientists, social workers, economists, and spiritual leaders. We can hope and predict that influences will become increasingly reciprocal, that different cultures will be more respected and mutually enriching, and finally that from one end of the world to the other, the call of humanity to see their dignity recognized will be heeded. May those who represent public authority tirelessly act together with those who express the aspirations of their fellow citizens in every field.

Our generation, marked by the terrible wound of a world war and its aftermath, knows well that humanity must come to an agreement, must unite. It does not want to give in to despair at the failures of generous concepts that were perhaps considered utopian. We are in an era in which each must and can play their part within the community of nations. It is now clear that the balance of the world is established through the concerted efforts of countries that join together in each region and on each continent. I know that Zaire is concerned with fostering African consensus and that it cooperates with neighboring countries in various groups, to promote the development of their territories and better use of their resources.

These are encouraging signs. But there are many others; to give just one example, I would like to cite the shared reflections of African intellectuals concerned with looking positively to the future and ensuring the balanced and competent dialogue that is essential for a beneficial encounter between cultures, for a mastery of techniques and knowledge conducive to development.

The task incumbent on those responsible for the common good is a heavy and serious one because it is a fundamental human service, involving respect for life and fundamental rights, and cannot be separated from a just ethic. My profound hope is that everyone, with the trust of their fellow citizens, can make every effort to ensure that, in every circumstance, human existence is made more in keeping with the dignity and happiness that God desires for them.

May God bless your country and all who work for its progress; I said this with a very special feeling on the day I was granted the privilege of raising to the altars your fellow citizen, virgin and martyr, Blessed Anuarite Nengapeta. I rejoice with you all, not only with the Church and the Catholics of Zaire, but with all of you Zairians, for this historic event of great spiritual significance.

* L'Osservatore Romano 17.8.1985 p.6.

Copyright © Dicastery for Communication